Spare tire lock for truck-trailer wheels

Abstract

A spare tire locking device for truck-trailer wheels and the like vehicles and for use in association with a conventional tire carrier mounted on the underside of the vehicle, comprising a generally gull-shaped member having a pair of upper and outwardly extending horizontal arms adapted to overlie the rim portion only of the wheel, a lower flat central portion connecting with the inner ends of the horizontal arms through a pair of upright members, a stud projecting downwardly from each horizontal arm, the studs being receivable in diametrically opposite bolt holes in the rim for bolting the gull-shaped member against the rim with the central portion and upright member being received in the pre-existing central opening in the rim, a hollow cylinder attached to the upper surface of the flat central portion, a smaller cylindrical tube attached to the upperside of the flat central portion in concentric relation with the cylinder and communicating with the cylinder through a hole in the central portion, and a T-bar having a vertical portion adapted to pass first through a pre-bored hole in the conventional tire carrier on which the wheel is mounted with the gull-shaped member attached thereto, the T-bar being adapted to pass upwardly through the tube and into the interior of the cylinder, the T-bar having a horizontal handle connected to the lower end of the vertical portion and a hole at the upper end of the vertical portion for attachment of a padlock to the vertical portion when it projects upwardly into the cylinder.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A spare tire locking device for truck-trailer wheels and the like vehicles and for use in association with a conventional tire carrier of the type having a first horizontal member whose length is at least equal to the maximum diameter of the wheel and tire to be supported thereon, the carrier having vertical side members extending upwardly from the ends of the first horizontal member and welded at their upper ends to the frame of the vehicle and the carrier having a second horizontal member attached to and extending from the center of the first horizontal member at right angles thereto, the length of the second horizontal member being such that a majority of the wheel and tire will be supported on the carrier with only a portion of the tire projecting outwardly therefrom, the second horizontal member being provided with a vertical side member connected to the outer end of the second horizontal member and being welded at its upper end to the frame of the vehicle; the spare tire locking device comprising a generally gull-shaped member having a pair of upper and outwardly extending horizontal arms adapted to overlie a rim portion only of the wheel, a lower flat central portion connecting with the inner ends of the horizontal arms through a pair of upright members, a stud projecting downwardly from each horizontal arm, the studs being receivable in diametrically opposite bolt holes in the rim for bolting the gull-shaped member against the rim with the central portion and upright member being received in a pre-existing central opening in the rim, a hollow cylinder attached to the upper surface of the flat central portion, a smaller cylindrical tube attached to the upperside of the flat central portion in concentric relation with the cylinder and communicating with the cylinder through a hole in the central portion, and a T-bar having a vertical portion adapted to pass first through a pre-bored hole in the conventional tire carrier on which the wheel is mounted with the gull-shaped member attached thereto, the T-bar being adapted to pass upwardly through the tube and into the interior of the cylinder, the T-bar having a horizontal handle connected to the lower end of the vertical portion and a hole at the upper end of the vertical portion for attachment of a padlock to the vertical portion when it projects upwardly into the cylinder. 
     
     
       2. A spare tire locking device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the studs are spaced apart at a distance equal to the distance between diametrically opposite holes in a "Bud" rim. 
     
     
       3. A spare tire locking device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the upright members are vertical. 
     
     
       4. A spare tire locking device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the upright members are inclined.